（一四）須大拏經
Chapter 14: The Vessantara Jataka
「昔者葉波國王號曰濕隨，其名薩闍，治國以正，黎庶無怨。王有太子，名須大拏，容儀光世，慈孝難齊，四等普護，言不傷人。王有一子寶之無量，太子事親同之於天。有知之來，『常願布施拯濟群生，令吾後世受福無窮。愚者不覩非常之變，謂之可保。有智之士照有五家，乃尚布施之士。十方諸佛、緣一覺、無所著尊，靡不歎施為世上寶。』太子遂隆普施，惠逮眾生。欲得衣食者應聲惠之，金銀眾珍、車馬田宅，無求不與。光馨遠被，四海咨嗟。父王有一白象，威猛武勢躃六十象，怨國來戰，象輙得勝。
Once upon a time, the king of the land of Yebo was named Shisui, also known as Saja. He ruled his kingdom with righteousness, and his people harbored no grievances. The king had a crown prince named Xudana, whose grace and appearance shone upon the world. His filial piety and kindness were beyond compare, and he protected all beings with boundless compassion, never speaking a word that could harm others. The king treasured this son beyond measure, and the prince revered his parents as he would heaven.
From the moment wisdom arose in him, he often made this vow: "May I always practice generosity to rescue and aid all living beings, so that in future lives I may receive boundless blessings. The foolish, who cannot perceive the impermanence of all things, believe that what they have can be kept forever. But the wise, who see that wealth is shared by five inevitable claimants, still honor those who give. All the Buddhas of the ten directions, the Pratyekabuddhas, and the utterly unattached venerable ones—none do not praise generosity as the world's greatest treasure."
Thus the prince exalted in universal giving, extending his kindness to all beings. Those who sought clothing or food received them at once, and gold, silver, precious jewels, carriages, horses, fields, and homes—nothing was refused to those who asked. His fame and virtue spread far and wide, earning acclaim throughout the four seas. His father the king possessed a white elephant, mighty and fierce, capable of overwhelming sixty ordinary elephants in battle. Whenever enemy kingdoms came to fight, this elephant always secured victory.
「諸王議曰：『太子賢聖無求不惠。遣梵志八人之太子所，令乞白象。若能得之，吾重謝子。』受命即行，著鹿皮衣履屣執瓶，𨱜杖遠涉，歷諸郡縣千有餘里，到葉波國，俱柱杖翹一脚向宮門立，謂衛士曰：『吾聞太子布施貧乏潤逮群生，故自遠涉乞吾所乏。』衛士即入，如事表聞。太子聞之欣然馳迎，猶子覩親，稽首接足慰勞之曰：『所由來乎苦體如何？欲所求索以一脚住乎？』對曰：『太子德光周聞八方，上達蒼天下至黃泉，巍巍如太山，靡不歎仰。卿為天人之子，吐言必信。審尚布施不違眾願者，今欲乞匃行蓮華上白象，象名羅闍惒大檀。』太子曰：『大善！唯上諸君金銀雜寶恣心所求，無以自難。』即勅侍者，疾被白象金銀鞍勒牽之來矣。左持象勒，右持金甕，澡梵志手，慈歡授象。梵志大喜，即呪願竟，俱升騎象含笑而去。
The kings conferred together, saying: “The prince is virtuous and wise, never denying any request. Let us send eight brahmins to the prince’s presence to beg for the white elephant. If they succeed in obtaining it, we will reward them handsomely.” Receiving their orders, the brahmins set out at once. Clad in deerskin garments and sandals, carrying water pots, they traveled far across the land, through countless districts and towns, over a thousand miles, until they reached the kingdom of Yebō. There they stood before the palace gates, leaning on their staffs and lifting one foot each, and said to the guards: “We have heard that the prince practices generosity, aiding the poor and reaching all living beings. We have therefore journeyed from afar to ask for what we lack.”
The guards immediately went inside and reported the matter as it had occurred. When the prince heard this, he joyfully rushed out to welcome them, much as a child runs to see a beloved parent. He bowed his head at their feet and greeted them with concern, saying: “Where have you come from? Has your journey been difficult? What do you seek, that you stand on one foot?”
They replied: “Your virtue, O prince, shines far and wide, reaching the heavens above and the depths below. Lofty as Mount Tai, none do not praise you. You are a child of gods and humans—your word is surely trustworthy. If you truly practice generosity and do not refuse the wishes of others, we now beg for the white elephant that walks upon the lotus flower, the elephant named Rāja and Great Dāna.”
The prince said: “Excellent! All the gold, silver, and precious treasures you desire are yours—do not hesitate.” He then ordered his attendants to swiftly bring forth the white elephant, adorned with gold and silver trappings. Holding the elephant’s reins in his left hand and a golden vessel in his right, he washed the brahmins’ hands, and with kind-hearted joy presented the elephant to them. The brahmins were overjoyed. After offering their blessings, they mounted the elephant together and rode away, smiling.
「相國百揆靡不悵然，僉曰：『斯象猛力之雄，國恃以寧，敵仇交戰，輙為震奔。而今惠讎國，將何恃？』俱現陳曰：『夫白象者，勢力能躃六十象，斯國却敵之寶。而太子以惠重怨，中藏日虛，太子自恣布施不休，數年之間，臣等懼舉國妻子必為施惠之物矣。』王聞其言，慘然久而曰：『太子好喜佛道，以賙窮濟乏慈育群生，為行之元首。縱得禁止假使拘罰，斯為無道矣。』百揆僉曰：『切磋之教儀無失矣，拘罰為虐臣敢聞之？逐令出國置于田野，十年之間令慙自悔，臣等之願也。』王即遣使者就誥之曰：『象是國寶，惠怨胡為？不忍加罰，疾出國去。』使者奉命誥之如斯。太子對曰：『不敢違天命。願乞布施濟乏七日，出國無恨。』使者以聞，王曰：『疾去，不聽汝也。』使者反曰：『王命不從。』太子重曰：『不敢違天命。吾有私財，不敢侵國。』使者又聞，王即聽之。
The Prime Minister and all high officials were deeply grieved, and together they said: "This elephant, with its fierce and mighty strength, has been the nation's safeguard in times of peace. When enemies clashed in battle, it would charge and scatter them. Now that it has been given to our enemy nation, what will we rely on?" They all stepped forward and stated: "This white elephant has the power to topple sixty ordinary elephants. It is the treasure that repels our foes. Yet the Crown Prince has given it away to a deep enemy, and the royal treasury drains day by day. The Prince indulges in giving without restraint. Within a few years, we fear the entire nation—wives and children alike—will become mere objects of his charity."
When the King heard these words, he was downcast for a long while, then said: "The Crown Prince delights in the Buddha's path. He aids the poor, relieves the needy, and nurtures all living beings with compassion—this is the foremost of his virtues. Even if we tried to stop him, were we to confine or punish him, that would be unjust."
All the ministers together replied: "Guidance through admonition is proper conduct and leaves no fault; but punishment would be tyranny—how dare we suggest it? Let him be banished from the kingdom and placed in the wilderness. Within ten years, let shame lead him to regret. This is our request."
The King then sent an envoy to inform the Prince: "The elephant is a national treasure. Why give it to an enemy? I cannot bear to punish you, but you must leave the kingdom at once." The envoy, carrying out his orders, relayed this to the Prince.
The Crown Prince replied: "I dare not defy the King's command. But I beg for seven days to continue my giving to those in need; after that, I will leave the country without regret."
When the envoy reported this, the King said: "Leave immediately! I will not allow it." The envoy returned and conveyed the King's refusal.
The Prince insisted: "I dare not defy the King's command. I have private wealth of my own; I will not encroach upon the nation's resources."
When the envoy reported this again, the King then permitted it.
「太子欣然勅侍者：『國中黎庶有窮乏者，勸之疾來，從其所欲恣之無違。國土官爵、田宅財寶，幻夢之類，靡不磨滅。』兆民巨細奔詣宮門，太子以飲食衣被、七寶諸珍，恣民所欲布施訖竟，貧者皆富。妻名曼坻，諸王之女，顏華韑耀，一國無雙，自首至足皆以七寶瓔珞。謂其妻曰：『起聽吾言，大王徙吾著檀特山，十年為限。汝知之乎？』妻驚而起，視太子淚出，且云：『將有何罪乃見迸逐，捐國尊榮處深山乎？』答其妻曰：『以吾布施虛耗國內，名象戰寶以施怨家。王逮群臣恚逐我耳。』妻即稱願：『使國豐熟，王臣兆民富壽無極，惟當建志於彼山澤成道弘誓矣。』
The Crown Prince happily told his attendants: "Let all the poor and needy in the kingdom come quickly, and they shall receive whatever they desire, with nothing denied. For the offices of state, lands, homes, wealth, and treasures—these are like dreams and illusions, none of which endure forever."
Then all the citizens, great and small, rushed to the palace gates. The Prince gave them food, drink, clothing, and blankets, along with the seven kinds of precious jewels and various treasures, granting the people all that they wished. When the giving was complete, even the poorest had become rich.
His wife, whose name was Mandī, was the daughter of a king. Her beauty shone with a brightness that was unmatched in all the land, and from head to toe she was adorned with ornaments made of the seven precious jewels. He said to his wife: "Rise and listen to my words. The King has exiled me to Mount Danta, and I must remain there for ten years. Do you understand?"
Alarmed, his wife rose and looked at the Crown Prince, tears streaming from her eyes, and said: "What wrong have you committed that you should be banished like this, forced to give up your kingdom's honor and retreat deep into the mountains?"
The Crown Prince answered his wife: "Because I have used generosity to deplete the kingdom's resources, giving away famed elephants and battle treasures to those who bear us ill will. The King and his ministers are angry and have driven me away."
His wife then made this vow: "May the kingdom prosper and be bountiful; may the King, his ministers, and all the people enjoy immeasurable wealth and long life. Now I will only dedicate my mind to the wilderness and mountains, and to the great vow of attaining Enlightenment."
「太子曰：『惟彼山澤恐怖之處，虎狼害獸難為止矣。又有毒蟲魍魎斃鬼、雷電霹靂風雨雲霧，其甚可畏。寒暑過度，樹木難依，蒺䔧礫石非卿所堪。爾王者之子，生於榮樂、長於中宮，衣則細軟，飲食甘美，臥則帷帳，眾樂聒耳，願則恣心。今處山澤，臥則草蓐、食則果蓏，非人所忍，何以堪之乎？』妻曰：『細靡眾寶帷帳甘美，何益於己？而與太子生離居乎？大王出時以幡為幟，火以煙為幟，婦人以夫為幟，吾恃太子猶孩恃親，太子在國布施四遠，吾輙同願。今當歷嶮而猶留守榮，豈仁道哉？儻有來乞不覩所天，心之感絕，必死無疑。』太子曰：『遠國之人來乞妻子，吾無逆心。爾為情戀，儻違惠道都絕洪潤，壞吾重任也。』妻曰：『太子布施覩世希有，當卒弘誓慎無倦矣。百千萬世，無人如卿逮佛重任，吾不敢違也。』太子曰：『善！』即將妻子詣母辭別，稽首于地愍然辭曰：『願捐重思，保寧玉體，國事鞅掌願數慈諫，無以自由枉彼天民。當忍不可忍，含忍為寶。』母聞訣辭顧謂侍曰：『吾身如石、心猶剛鐵，今有一子而見迸逐，吾何心哉？未有子時結願求嗣，懷妊之日如樹含華，日須其成，天不奪願令吾有子，今育成就而當生離乎？』夫人嬪妾，嫉者快喜不復相敬。
The prince said, “In those mountains and forests, there are places of terror where tigers and wolves make their lairs—hard indeed to dwell there. There are also poisonous insects, spirits of the dead, and demons of the dark, along with thunder, lightning, wind, rain, clouds, and mist, all of which inspire great fear. The cold and heat there are extreme, trees offer no reliable shelter, and thorny brambles and gravel stones are not things you could endure. You, child of a king, were born into splendor and raised within the palace. Your clothes are fine and soft, your food and drink are sweet and delicate, you sleep within curtains and canopies, your ears are filled with all kinds of music, and your wishes are granted as you please. Now, to dwell in those wilds, sleeping on a mat of grass and eating only wild fruits—this is something no person would willingly bear. How could you endure it?”
His wife replied, “What good are fine things, jewels, curtains, and sweet flavors if they come at the cost of being separated from the prince? When the king goes forth, he uses a banner as his sign; fire uses smoke as its sign; a woman uses her husband as her sign. I rely on you, O prince, just as a child relies on its parents. While you remained in the kingdom, giving freely to all who came from the four directions, I shared in your vow. Now that we must journey through peril, would it be right for me to remain behind in comfort? If someone comes seeking alms and I am not with you, my heart would break, and death would surely follow.”
The prince said, “People from distant lands may come to beg for my wife and children. I have no thought of refusing them. Yet you cling to your affections, and if you should turn away from the path of generosity, you would cut off the great stream of kindness and destroy the heavy task entrusted to me.”
His wife replied, “Your generosity, O prince, is a rare thing in this world. You must fulfill your great vow and never grow weary. For hundreds, thousands, and ten thousands of lifetimes, no one has been like you in taking up this weighty task of the Buddha. I will not go against your will.”
The prince said, “Well said.” Then he took his wife and child to bid farewell to his mother. They knelt and bowed their heads to the ground, and with deep compassion, the prince said, “I ask that you set aside your heavy sorrow and preserve your precious health. The affairs of the kingdom are pressing, and I beg you to offer kind counsel often, and not to allow your own will to wrong the people of heaven. One must endure what cannot be endured, and patience is a treasure.”
When his mother heard these parting words, she turned to her attendants and said, “My body is like stone, and my heart is like iron. Yet now I have a son, and he is being driven away. What heart have I left? Before I had a child, I prayed and made vows for a son. When I became pregnant, it was like a tree bearing a flower. Day by day I waited for it to bloom. Heaven did not deny my vow, and I was granted a son. Now that I have raised him to adulthood, must I be separated from him?”
The other wives and concubines, driven by jealousy, rejoiced at this and no longer treated her with respect.
「大子妻兒稽首拜退，宮內巨細靡不哽噎，出與百揆吏民哀訣，俱出城去，靡不竊云：『大子國之聖靈、眾寶之尊，二親何心而逐之乎？』大子坐城外謝諸送者，遣之還居。兆民拜伏，僉然舉哀，或有躃踊呼天，音響振國。與妻進道，自知去本國遠，坐一樹下。有梵志自遠來乞，解身寶服、妻子珠璣，盡以惠之，令妻子昇車執轡而去。始欲就道，又逢梵志來從乞馬，以馬惠之；自於轅中挽車進道。又逢梵志來匃其車，即下妻子，以車惠之。太子車馬衣裘身寶雜物，都盡無餘，令妻嬰女，己自抱男。處國之時，施彼名象眾寶車馬，至見毀逐，未曾恚悔，和心相隨，歡喜入山。三七二十一日乃到檀特山中。
The crown prince's wife and child bowed their heads and respectfully withdrew. Everyone in the palace, great and small, could not hold back their sobbing. He went out to take leave of the hundred officials and the people, with sorrowful farewells, and together they left the city. No one failed to whisper among themselves: "The crown prince is the sacred spirit of the nation, the most honored of all treasures. How could his parents bring themselves to banish him?"
The crown prince sat outside the city wall to thank those who had seen him off, and sent them back to their homes. Thousands of people bowed down prostrate, all raising their voices in lamentation. Some threw themselves on the ground and wailed to heaven, their cries shaking the whole country. He set out on the road with his wife, and knowing they were now far from their homeland, they sat beneath a tree. A brahmin ascetic came from afar to beg. The prince untied the jewels from his body, his wife's pearls and gems, and gave them all away generously. He had his wife and child get up into the carriage, and holding the reins, he drove it away.
Just as he was about to set off, another brahmin ascetic came and asked for the horse. He gave the horse away. Then he himself, standing between the shafts, pulled the carriage forward. Again a brahmin ascetic came and begged for the carriage. He immediately took down his wife and child and gave the carriage away. The crown prince's carriages, horses, clothes, furs, personal treasures, and all his possessions were utterly exhausted, with nothing left. He had his wife carry their daughter, while he himself carried their son.
During his time in the kingdom, he had given away famous elephants, masses of treasures, carriages, and horses. Even when he was slandered and banished, he never once felt anger or regret. With a harmonious heart they followed one another, joyfully entering the mountains. After three times seven—twenty-one—days, they finally arrived at Mount Dandaka.
「太子覩山樹木茂盛，流泉美水甘果備焉，鳧鴈鴛鴦遊戲其間，百鳥嚶嚶相和悲鳴。太子覩之謂其妻曰：『爾觀斯山，樹木參天尠有折傷，群鳥悲鳴，每處有泉，眾果甚多以為飲食；唯道是務，無以違誓。』山中道士皆守節好學，有一道士名阿周陀，久處山間有玄妙之德。即與妻子詣之稽首，却叉手立，向道士曰：『吾將妻子來斯學道，願垂洪慈，誨成吾志也。』道士誨之，太子則焉，柴草為屋，結髮葌服，食果飲泉。男名耶利，衣小草服，從父出入；女名罽拏延，著鹿皮衣，從母出入。處山一宿，天為增泉其味重甘，生藥樹木名果茂盛。
The prince saw that the mountain's trees were lush and flourishing. Flowing springs, sweet water, and delicious fruits were all present. Ducks, geese, and mandarin ducks played among them, while a hundred kinds of birds called softly, their voices blending in mournful song. The prince looked at this and said to his wife: "Look at this mountain — the trees reach to the sky, and few are broken or damaged. The flocks of birds sing mournfully. Everywhere there are springs, and many fruits to eat and drink. Our only task is the Path to Cessation; do not go against your vow."
The practitioners in the mountain all kept their discipline and loved learning. One of them was named Ajita, who had lived in the mountain for a long time and possessed profound and wondrous virtue. The prince immediately went with his wife and children to pay respects to him. Then, with hands clasped, he stood and said to the practitioner: "I have brought my wife and children here to study the Path. May you extend your great compassion and instruct us so that our aspiration may be fulfilled." The practitioner taught them, and the prince followed his guidance. They made a dwelling of firewood and grass, tied up their hair, and wore rough garments, eating fruits and drinking from springs. The boy was named Yeli, who wore a garment of small grass and came and went following his father. The girl was named Jianyanting, who wore clothing of deerskin and came and went following her mother. After one night in the mountain, the heavens increased the springs so their taste was doubly sweet, and medicinal trees and named fruits grew abundantly.
「後有鳩留縣老貧梵志，其妻年豐，顏華端正，提瓶行汲。道逢年少遮要，調曰：『爾居貧乎無以自全，貪彼老財庶以歸居。彼翁學道內否不通，教化之紀，希成一人。專愚𢤱悷，爾將所貪乎？顏狀醜黑，鼻正匾𠥶，身體繚戾，面皺脣䫂(丁可反)，言語蹇吃，兩目又青，狀類若鬼，舉身無好，孰不僫憎？爾為室家，將無愧厭乎？』婦聞調婿，流淚而云：『吾覩彼翁鬢鬚正白，猶霜著樹。朝夕希心，欲其早喪。未即從願，無如之何？』歸向其婿，如事具云，曰：『子有奴使，妾不行汲。若其如今，吾去子矣。』婿曰：『吾貧，緣獲給使乎？』妻曰：『吾聞布施上士名須大拏，洪慈濟眾虛耗其國。王逮群臣，徙著山中。其有兩兒，乞則惠卿。』
Later, there was an old Brahmin living in poverty in Qiuliu County. His wife was in her prime, lovely and proper, and she carried a pitcher out to draw water. On the road, she met a young man who blocked her way and teased her: "You live in poverty, don't you? You have no way to keep yourself together, and you covet that old man's wealth to secure your standing household. That old man studies the path but is blocked within and does not understand it. In teaching people, who under his instruction has actually succeeded? He is stubborn and dull, so what is it you are coveting? Your face is ugly and dark, your nose is flat and squat, your body is twisted, your face is wrinkled, your lips are thick and coarse, your speech is halting, and both eyes are dark like a ghost's. There is nothing good about him from head to foot. Who would not despise him? You are his wife—do you not feel shame and disgust?"
The wife, hearing her husband mocked, wept and said: "I see that old man's temples and beard are stark white, like frost on a tree. Morning and night I pray in my heart that he may die early. Since my wish has not yet come true, what can I do?"
She returned and told her husband everything as it had happened, and said: "If you have a servant, I will not go to draw water. If things remain as they are now, I will leave you." The husband said: "I am poor; how could I get a servant?" The wife said: "I have heard of a great giver named Sudāna, whose vast compassion relieved the multitude and depleted his kingdom. The king and all his ministers were driven away and made to dwell in the mountains. He has two sons; if you beg for them, he will grant them to you."
「妻數有言，愛婦難違，即用其言，到葉波國，詣宮門曰：『太子安之乎？』衛士上聞。王聞斯言，心結內塞，涕泣交流，有頃而曰：『太子見逐，惟為斯輩；而今復來乎？』請現勞倈，問其所以。對曰：『太子潤馨，遐邇詠歌，故遠歸命，庶自穌息。』王曰：『太子眾寶布施都盡，今處深山，衣食不充，何以惠子？』對曰：『德徽巍巍，遠自竭慕，貴覩光顏，沒齒無恨也。』王使人示其徑路。
His wife had often spoken about this. Unable to refuse his beloved wife's wishes, he acted on her words and went to the country of Yebo. Arriving at the palace gate, he asked, "Is the crown prince well?" A guard reported this to the king. When the king heard these words, his heart clenched with grief, and tears streamed down his face. After a moment he said, "The crown prince was driven away because of people like this—and now he comes again?" He asked the man to come forward and rest, and questioned him about his purpose. The man replied, "The crown prince's virtue is fragrant; near and far, people sing his praises. So I have come from afar to take refuge in him, hoping to find some rest and relief." The king said, "The crown prince gave away all his many treasures in generosity. Now he dwells deep in the mountains, with insufficient food and clothing. How can he benefit you?" The man replied, "His virtue shines high and great. I have come from afar out of deep admiration. I would count it a privilege just to see his radiant face—then I could die without regret." The king then sent someone to show him the path.
「道逢獵士，曰：『子經歷諸山，寧覩太子不？』獵士素知太子迸逐所由，勃然罵曰：『吾斬爾首，問太子為乎？』梵志恧然而懼曰：『吾必為子所殺矣！當權而詭之耳。』曰：『王逮群臣令呼太子還國為王。』答曰：『大善！』喜示其處。
He ran into a hunter and asked, "You have traveled through these mountains—have you seen the prince?"
The hunter, who knew very well why the prince had been driven into exile, flew into a rage and cursed him: "I ought to cut off your head! Why would I bother answering about the prince?"
The Brahmin, ashamed and frightened, thought, "He will surely kill me! I had better bend the truth to get out of this."
So he said, "The king and his ministers have sent me to call the prince back to the kingdom to become king."
"Excellent!" the hunter replied, delighted, and showed him where the prince was.
「遙見小屋，太子亦覩其來。兩兒覩之中心怛懼，兄弟俱曰：『吾父尚施，而斯子來，財盡無副，必以吾兄弟惠與之。』擕手俱逃。母故掘蔭其埳容人，二兒入中以柴覆上，自相誡曰：『父呼無應也。』
「太子仰問，請其前坐，果漿置前。食果飲畢，慰勞之曰：『歷遠疲倦矣！』對曰：『吾自彼來，舉身惱痛，又大飢渴。太子光馨，八方歎懿，巍巍遠照。有如太山，天神地祇，孰不甚善，今故遠歸窮，庶延微命。』太子惻然曰：『財盡無惜矣。』梵志曰：『可以二兒給養吾老矣。』答曰：『子遠來求兒，吾無違心。』太子呼焉，兄弟懼矣。又相謂曰：『吾父呼求，必以惠鬼也。』違命無應。太子隱其在埳，發柴覩之，兒出抱父戰慄涕泣，呼號且言：『彼是鬼也！非梵志矣！吾數覩梵志，顏類未有若茲，無以吾等為鬼作食。吾母採果來歸何遲？今日定死，為鬼所噉。母歸索吾，當如牛母索其犢子，狂走哀慟。父必悔矣。』太子曰：『自生布施未甞微悔，吾以許焉，爾無違矣。』梵志曰：『子以普慈相惠，兒母歸者即敗子洪潤違吾本願，不如早去。』太子曰：『卿願求兒，故自遠來，終不敢違，便可速邁。』
「太子右手沃澡，左手持兒，授彼梵志。梵志曰：『吾老氣微，兒捨遁邁之其母所，吾緣獲之乎？太子弘惠，縛以相付。』太子持兒令梵志縛，自手執繩端，兩兒躃身宛轉父前，哀號呼母曰：『天神地祇山樹諸神一哀，告吾母意云：「兩兒以惠人，宜急捨彼菓，可一相見。」』哀感二儀，山神愴然，為作大響有若雷震。母時採果，心為忪忪，仰看蒼天不覩雲雨，右目瞤左腋痒，兩乳湩流出相屬，母惟之曰：『斯怪甚大！吾用菓為？急歸視兒，將有他乎？』委菓旋歸，惶惶如狂。
「帝釋念曰：『菩薩志隆，欲成其弘誓之重任，妻到壞其高志也。』化為師子，當道而蹲。婦曰：『卿是獸中之王，吾亦人中王子，俱止斯山，吾有兩兒皆尚微細，朝來未食須望我耳。』師子避之，婦得進路。迴復於前化作白狼，婦辭如前，狼又避焉。又化為虎，適梵志遠，乃遂退矣。
「婦還，覩太子獨坐，慘然怖曰：『吾兒如之而今獨坐，兒常望覩吾以菓歸，奔走趣吾，躃地復起，跳踉喜笑，曰：「母歸矣，飢兒飽矣。」今不覩之，將以惠人乎？吾坐兒立各在左右，覩身有塵，競共拂拭。今兒不來，又不覩處，卿以惠誰？可早相語。禱祀乾坤，情實難云，乃致良嗣。今兒戲具，泥象泥牛、泥馬泥猪，雜巧諸物縱橫于地，覩之心感，吾且發狂，將為虎狼鬼𩲐盜賊吞乎？疾釋斯結，吾必死矣！』太子久而乃言：『有一梵志來索兩兒云：「年盡命微欲以自濟。」吾以惠之。』婦聞斯言，感踊躃地，宛轉哀慟流淚且云：『審如所夢，一夜之中夢覩老𥥧貧窶梵志，割吾兩乳執之疾馳；正為今也。』哀慟呼天，動一山間。云：『吾子如之，當如行求乎？』
「太子覩妻哀慟尤甚，而謂之曰：『吾本盟爾隆孝奉遵，吾志大道，尚濟眾生，無求不惠，言誓甚明。而今哀慟，以亂我心？』妻曰：『太子求道，厥勞何甚？夫士家尊在于妻子之間，靡不自由，豈況人尊乎？願曰：「所索必獲，如一切智。」』
「帝釋諸天僉然議曰：『太子弘道普施無蓋，試之以妻觀心如何。』釋化為梵志來之其前，曰：『吾聞子懷以乾坤之仁，普濟群生布施無逆，故來歸情，子妻賢貞德馨遠聞，故來乞匃，儻肯相惠乎？』答曰：『大善！』以右手持水澡梵志手，左手提妻適欲授之。諸天稱壽莫不歎善，天地卒然大動，人鬼靡不驚焉。梵志曰：『止！吾不取也。』答曰：『斯婦豈有惡耶？婦人之惡斯都無有，婦人之禮斯為備首矣。然其父王唯有斯女，盡禮事婿不避塗炭，衣食趣可不求細甘，勤力精健顏華踰輩。卿取吾喜，除患最善。』梵志曰：『婦之賢快誠如子言，敬諾受之。吾以寄子，無以惠人。』又曰：『吾是天帝釋，非世庸人也，故來試子。子尚佛慧影，範難雙矣，今欲何願，恣求必從。』太子曰：『願獲大富，常好布施無貪踰今；令吾父王及國臣民思得相見。』天帝釋曰：『善！』應時不現。
「梵志喜獲其志，行不覺疲，連牽兩兒欲得望使。兒王者之孫，榮樂自由，去其二親為繩所縛，結處皆傷，哀號呼母，鞭而走之。梵志晝寢，二兒迸逃，自沈池中，荷蒻覆上，水蟲編身。寤行尋求，又得兒矣；捶杖縱橫，血流丹地。天神愍念，解縛愈傷，為生甘果，令地柔軟。兄弟摘果，更相授噉，曰：『斯果之甘猶苑中果，斯地柔軟如王邊縕綖矣。』兄弟相扶仰天呼母，涕泣流身。梵志所行，其地岑巖，礫石刺棘，身及足蹠，其瘡毒痛，若覩樹果，或苦且辛，梵志皮骨相連，兩兒肌膚光澤，顏色復故。
「歸到其家，喜笑且云：『吾為爾得奴婢二人，自從所使。』妻覩兒曰：『奴婢不爾，斯兒端正，手足悅澤不任作勞，孚行衒賣，更買所使。』又為妻使，欲之異國。天惑其路，乃之本土。兆民識焉，僉曰：『斯太子兒也！大王孫矣！』哽噎詣門上聞。王呼梵志將兒入宮，宮人巨細靡不噓唏！王呼欲抱，兩兒不就。王曰：『何以？』兒曰：『昔為王孫，今為奴婢。奴婢之賤，緣坐王膝乎？』問梵志曰：『緣得斯兒？』對之如事。曰：『賣兒幾錢？』梵志未答，男孫勦曰：『男直銀錢一千，特牛百頭；女直金錢二千，牸牛二百頭。』王曰：『男長而賤，女幼而貴。其有緣乎？』對曰：『太子既聖且仁，潤齊二儀天下喜附，猶孩依親，斯獲天下之明圖，而見遠逐捐處山澤，虎狼毒蟲與之為隣，食菓衣草，雷雨震人，夫財幣草芥之類耳，坐見迸棄，故知男賤也。黎庶之女，苟以華色處在深宮，臥即縕綖，蓋以寶帳，衣天下之名服，食天下之貢獻，故女貴也。』王曰：『年八孩童，有高士之論，豈況其父乎？』宮人巨細聞其諷諫莫不舉哀。梵志曰：『直銀錢一千，特牛、牸牛各百頭。惠爾者善，不者自已。』王曰：『諾。』即雇如數，梵志退矣。
「王抱兩孫坐之于膝，王曰：『屬不就抱，今來何疾乎？』對曰：『屬是奴婢，今為王孫。』曰：『汝父處山，何食自供？』兩兒俱曰：『薇菜樹果以自給耳。日與禽獸百鳥相娛，亦無愁心。』王遣使者迎焉。使者就道，山中樹木俯仰屈伸，似有跪起之禮，百鳥悲鳴哀音感情。太子曰：『斯者何瑞？』妻臥地曰：『父意解釋，使者來迎，神祇助喜，故興此瑞。』妻自亡兒臥地，使者到乃起拜王命矣。使者曰：『王逮皇后捐食銜泣，身命日衰，思覩太子。』太子左右顧望，戀慕山中樹木流泉，收淚昇車。
「自使者發，舉國歡喜，治道掃除豫施帳幔，燒香散華伎樂幢蓋，舉國趍蹌，稱壽無量。大子入城頓首謝過，退勞起居。王復以國藏珍寶都付太子，勸令布施。隣國困民歸化首尾，猶眾川之歸海。宿怨都然，拜表稱臣，貢獻相銜。賊寇尚仁，偷賊競施，干戈戢藏，囹圄毀矣。群生永康，十方稱善。積德不休，遂獲如來、無所著、正真道、最正覺、道法御、天人師，獨步三界為眾聖王矣。」
佛告諸比丘：「吾受諸佛重任誓濟群生，雖嬰極苦，今為無蓋尊矣。太子後終，生兜術天；自天來下，由白淨王生，今吾身是也。父王者，阿難是。妻者，俱夷是。子男羅云是，女者羅漢朱遲母是。天帝釋者，彌勒是。射獵者，優陀耶是。阿周陀者，大迦葉是。賣兒梵志者，調達是。妻者，今調達妻旃遮是。吾宿命來勤苦無數，終不恐懼而違弘誓矣。以布施法為弟子說之，菩薩慈惠度無極行布施如是。」
六度集經卷第二